The Obligations and duty of Parents required of God towards their Children, in their Educating of them in godlineſs.

BE ſure in the firſt place, that you do your part in entring them at firſt into the Baptiſmal Covenant; 1. See that you be true to your Covenant your ſelf, for the promiſe is made to the true Chriſtians and their Seed, Eph. 2 Ch. 13. Gen. 17 Ch. 4. 13. 14. 2ly, Do not think that his Bare being the Child of godly Parents, is his full condition of Right to the benefits of the Covenant, that is but the Fundamental part; but you muſt Actually dedicate him to God in Baptiſm, (Deut. 29. ch. 11. 12. ver. Rom. 11 ch. 16, John 3. ch. 2. 5.) The child of a Believer actually offered or dedicated to God, is a rightfull Receiver of Baptiſm and its benefits. 3ly. Teach them therefore to know what Covenant they have made, and then ceaſe not till you have brought them heartily to conſent to it at Age themſelves: and then bring them to the Miniſter of the Church, that he may Solemnly own the Covenant made in his Baptiſm, and ſo may be Admitted into the Number of Adult Communicating Members in a regular way.

Teach them the words of the Covenant, 2 Tim. 1 ch. 13. and alſo the Creed, the Lords Prayer, and the Commandements, and the Catechiſm, teach them the meaning of them, and the way of practiſing all labour to poſſeſs them with the greateſt Reverence of God and the Holy Scriptures: then ſhew them the Word of God, for all that you would teach them to know or do. 2ly. Never ſpeak to them of God and Holy things, but with the greateſt gravity and reverence: for if they are uſed once to ſlight, or jeſt, or play with Holy things, they are hardened and undone. Uſe often to take an Account of what they know and what they do, both in their open and ſecret practiſe; leave them not careleſly to themſelves, but narrowly watch over them. 3ly. Uſe all your skill and diligence by word and deed to make a Holy Life appear to them, as it is the moſt honourable, profitable, ſafe, and pleaſant life in the world, that it may be their conſtant delight; make good things pleaſant to them, keep them from feeling Religion as Burthenſom, or unpleaſant, or a needleſs thing.

Firſt, begin with the eaſieſt parts, as Scripture Hiſtories, and then Church Hiſtories: let them read the Lives of Holy Men, written by Mr. Samuel Clark and his Martyroligy, and the Lives of Mr. Bolton, and Mr. Joſeph Allir, Mr. Janeway; Dr. Beards Theatre of Gods Judgments, ſpeak much to them of the praiſe of Ancient and latter Holy men; be much in opening to them the Riches of Grace, and the joyes of glory: exerciſe them much in Pſalms and praiſing God; let your diſcourſe with them be much in the diſgrace of Senſuality, Pride, and wordlyneſs: tell them how Pride is the Devils ſin, which caſt him from Heaven, when others tell them of Riches, Honours, and Preferments, do you tell them theſe are the Devils baites to allure and ſteal thy Heart from God that they may be damned, make them often read, Luk 12 ch. 16. 18. ver Jam. 14 ch. 5. ver. Rom. 8 ch. 12. ver. Matt. 5 ch. 21. 6. ver. Wiſely break them of their own Wills, and let them know that they muſt obey and like Gods Will and yours.

Let their Apparell be plain and decent, not gaudy; be ſure when they come to years of ripen, that you keep them from opportunity, nearneſs, or familiarity with tempting Perſons of another Sex. Be ſure you ingage your Children in good Company, and keep them as much as poſſible out of bad: wicked Children will infact them before you are aware, as to drink, to ſwear, to game, to talk filthily, to lying, and to make a mock of godlineſs and Sobriety. Teach them to know the value of precious time, and the ſhortneſs of this Life, and to ſet death ſtill before their eyes; uſe them to read good Books, let your correction of them be wiſely uſed as they need it, not too ſeverely as to diſaffect them to you, nor ſo little as to leave them in a courſe of ſin and diſobedience, let it be alwayes in love.

Pray earneſtly for them, and commit them by Faith to Chriſt, into whoſe Covenant you did ingage them. Go before them by a holy Life: let your practice tell them what you would have them be, eſpecially in repreſenting godlineſs delightful, and in living in the joyful hopes of Heaven. Chooſe ſuch Trades for them that have leaſt dangerous temptations, and when marriagable, provide ſuch for them as are truly Suitable, and ſtay not till Luſt and Folly inſnate them.

Theſe are the Counſels which I earneſtly recommend to you in this important work, for your Childrens Souls are ſo precious, and the difference between the good and bad ſo great, that all this muſt not ſeem too much, for I take the due Education of Children for the needfulleſt and excellent work in the world, eſpecially for Mothers.